Residents urged to get measles vaccine

Special to the Times-News

Published: Friday, April 19, 2013 at 3:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 19, 2013 at 3:47 p.m.

Due to an outbreak of measles in the state, the Henderson County Department of Public Health is urging residents to receive the MMR vaccine if they have never been vaccinated for measles, or have an incomplete series.

The vaccine is available at no cost at the health department's immunization clinic at 1200 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, the health department said in a enws release.

Hours are 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The disease poses serious risks for pregnant women, including miscarriage and premature birth, and for infants younger than 12 months and for individuals who are immune compromised.

Measles can be prevented by the combination MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. It is important for all individuals 12 months of age and older to be vaccinated, the release says.

No cases have been reported in Henderson County, but Polk County has reported one individual with an exposure to measles.

Measles is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It also can be transmitted through contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, watery red eyes and cough.

After a few days, a rash appears on the head and spreads over the entire body. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other complications, especially in young children.

More information about measles is available at http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/diseases/rubeola.html. For updates, call the Public Health Hotline at 828-694-4040, or visit www.hendersoncountync.org/health.

<p>Due to an outbreak of measles in the state, the Henderson County Department of Public Health is urging residents to receive the MMR vaccine if they have never been vaccinated for measles, or have an incomplete series. </p><p>The vaccine is available at no cost at the health department's immunization clinic at 1200 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, the health department said in a enws release. </p><p>Hours are 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.</p><p>The disease poses serious risks for pregnant women, including miscarriage and premature birth, and for infants younger than 12 months and for individuals who are immune compromised. </p><p>Measles can be prevented by the combination MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. It is important for all individuals 12 months of age and older to be vaccinated, the release says.</p><p>No cases have been reported in Henderson County, but Polk County has reported one individual with an exposure to measles.</p><p>Measles is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It also can be transmitted through contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, watery red eyes and cough. </p><p>After a few days, a rash appears on the head and spreads over the entire body. Measles can lead to pneumonia and other complications, especially in young children.</p><p>More information about measles is available at http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/diseases/rubeola.html. For updates, call the Public Health Hotline at 828-694-4040, or visit www.hendersoncountync.org/health.</p>